What We Learned About the Bengals Last Night

Last night was the kickoff for the new NFL season with the Hall of Fame game in Canton! We saw the Bengals scrimmage with the Cowboys and I think we already learned a few things. So what have we learned?

T.O. is going to work as a Bengal

Carson Palmer looked like he was more than comfortable going to Owens often and hit him on a quick out route. T.O looked like he fit right in.

Quan Cosby will not be a Bengal much longer

Jordan Shipley returned a punt almost 50 yards in the second half, and like that he took Cosby's spot. I don't see the Bengals cutting Andre Caldwell so the last receiver spot is between Jerome Simpson, Cosby, and Shipley. Whoever wins that spot will have to provide value in some other way such as returning kicks. Shipley is that guy.
Hide ya kids, hide ya wives! They sackin' everybody out here!

The Bengals first unit could not protect Carson Palmer. If you are a Bengal fan you had to be concerned with what you saw last night. Carson took more than a few big shots in the pocket. If the T.O. and Antonio Bryant signings are ever going to pay off your quarterback needs time to throw the ball.

Antonio Bryant Gives Terrell Owens #81

And like that, the first fire in Cincinnati is quietly put out.

Of course the network tried to make a big deal of this on 'First and 10' but Antonio Bryant has shown that he isn't going to feed into the drama. He quietly switched jersey numbers saying "he has a larger legacy than me." That it, no drama, no money exchanged, no dinners, nothing. Just a quick statement and business goes on as usual.

I'm glad that the Bengals have worked this out internally and it didn't become a media spectacle.

Why Terrell Owens is Going to the Bengals

It still amazes me that this week as NFL camps open, arguably the greatest wide receiver of all time is still looking for a job. TO has found a soft spot to land in reality TV, but that's not what he's known for. The NFL's third place all-time touchdown scorer is known for what he can do on the field.

We would be here all day if I were to talk about all his records. I suggest you look them up yourself.

I know, I know, there is that big matter of what Terrell does off the field as well. He is known as a divisive malcontent for some of the mistakes he made as a member of the 49ers and Eagles. But we all grow up, and I truly believe that TO is as good a person as anyone in the league. The things he said and did earlier in his career came from his intense desire to be the game's best and to let everyone know it. I can't say that I blame him. After all he had to fill Jerry Rice's shoes early in his career.

I could go on and on about Terrell's Eagles stint and his public fights with Donovan McNabb, or the Dallas Cowboys organization scapegoating him to save face for Tony Romo but I won't. We know what happened and its now in the past. Since then Terrell's been almost unrecognizable as a veteran receiver on the Buffalo Bills and a positive figure for the NFL in general.

No arrests, no allegations, no women coming out the woodwork, but some people don't want him on their team? I can't see why a contender wouldn't want to add him. He can still play at a high level and you are not going to find a rookie or midyear player who's going to outwork him period.

That brings us to the Bengals.

Rumors are that the player that the Bengals signed over Terrell Owens, Antonio Bryant, is having knee problems and that the door may be open for TO. Chad Ochocino has publicly lobbied for TO to be signed alongside him, and rumors are that Carson Palmer is working out with TO now as well.

This could be a great signing. Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco are two of the hardest working receivers in the game, and undoubtedly will push each other to grind through the season together. Carson Palmer is the type of quarterback that isn't going to take any shenanigans so there's no need to worry about him pulling a "Romo" or "Garcia". All signs show that the Bengals should return a pretty competitive team that won their division last year and adding TO to the mix is the icing on the cake.

The only question left remaining is who's camera crew gets priority in the locker room? You know they are already planning the TO show: Season 3 but at the same time Chad may need another season to find his Ultimate Catch!

Either way I cannot wait to see the last act of Terrell Owens' legendary football career.

I'm getting my popcorn ready.

Raiders Fans: We Want T.O.

A couple of days ago I wrote an article titled "Who Should Sign Terrell Owens." The article was syndicated on Bleacher Report and received a lot of positive feedback. One thing that struck me was how badly Oakland Raiders fans wanted Terrell Owens on their team.

In past years things would have been quite the opposite. For most of Owens' career the media successfully cast him as villain. Fans would literally protest at the thought of bringing Owens to their team. On the 49ers, Owens divided the locker room against Jeff Garcia who oddly was ousted from the Raiders in favor for Jamarcus Russell in his last NFL spot.

On the Eagles he was ousted in favor of Donovan McNabb after only returning from breaking his leg in three weeks to put up an all-time great Super Bowl performance. Owens next stop included the Cowboys who scapegoated Owens after they failed to meet expectations. Finally, he spent an uneventful year in Buffalo and still put up five touchdowns with Ryan Fitzpatrick as his primary Quarterback... and he didn't even make a peep about it.

Raiders fans could have a point. There is no leadership in their receiving corps. Tim Brown is not walking back through that door. Jerry Rice might, but you might not want to see what he has to offer at this age. T.O. would give the Raiders a true #1 target and allow speedster Darius Heyward-Bey to operate as a third receiver.

Will Al Davis bring in T.o.? There is not immediate indication he will, but Raider fans would love for it to happen.

Who Should Sign Terrell Owens?

Terrell Owens is still unemployed.

In this economy that wouldn't be such a shocking statement if it wasn't for the fact that Terrell Owens is arguably the greatest wide receiver of all time. (Yes, I said it!)

After spending a horrible year with the Buffalo Bills where Terrell Owens grabbed 5 touchdowns to add to his career achievements he wasn't resigned and opted to leave to find greener pastures. The problem is... there is no market for the 36 year old receiver.

Cincinnati was interested, but they did not opt to sign him. Baltimore filled their receiver hole with Donte Stallworth and Anquan Boldin. Tampa Bay drafted Arrelious Benn in the second round.

So who should grab Owens? Many are saying the Oakland Raiders. T.O. is a great tutor for young receivers and the Raiders seemingly sign everyone but it wouldn't be a good fit. So where should he go? New England.

That's right. New England. Wes Welker is out for an unknown amount of games and Randy Moss at this age isn't going to be enough to take over games like he did in 2007. They just signed Torry Holt, so they are interested in a veteran, but after last season I'm inclined to say that Holt should just retire (and get that awful looking finger fixed). T.O. gives them a tough receiver who is strong enough to take the short passes and get more after the catch.

T.O. would also be on his best behavior as it would be his last chance for a ring in his Hall of Fame career. To me, Terrell Owens would be a great addition to the Patriots.